Selvedge forming apparatus in shuttleless looms

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for the formation of a selvedge in shuttle-less weaving looms, in which, at every one of its forward and backward runs through the warp shed, the weft inserter inserts a double weft thread, that is a twofold-bent weft thread, thus forming a continuous weft having loops on either side of the cloth which are formed by the weft inserter reversing its transverse motion, wherein the loops formed in the sequentially inserted double weft are engaged with one another, on the side of the fabric lying opposite to the entrance side of the weft inserter, in such a manner as to form at least one loop row or chain. Preferably the loop formed in each double weft thread is threaded through the loop of the preceding double weft thread. A device for performing this method is disclosed, wherein a selvedge-forming needle is arranged on the side of the cloth lying opposite to the entrance side of the weft inserter, and is automatically operable in synchronism with the weft inserter in such a manner as to pick up the loop of every new double weft thread which has been inserted by the weft inserter, and to slip them off the loop of the preceding double weft thread, which has been picked up and slipped on the needle shank at the time of the preceding weft insertion, thus causing the loop of the preceding double weft thread to be slipped through the loop of the preceding double weft thread and thus threading the loop of the new double weft thread onto the needle shank.

United States Patent 191 Gardella [111 3,811,479 [451 May 21, 1974SELVEDGE FORMING APPARATUS lN SHUTTLELESS LOOMS [76] Inventor: AdrianoGardella, 24B, Via A1 Capo di Santa, Genoa, ltaly [22] Filed: June 12,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 261,955

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data JuneZl Italy. A/7l [52] US. Cl139/124 A [51] Int. Cl D03d 47/42 [58] Field of Search 139/122 R, 124 A[56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,136,343 6/1964 Firing139/124A 3,682,205

8/l9'72 Scott .L l39/l24A Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Larson, Taylor & Hinds [57] 7 ABSTRACT A method isdisclosed for the formation of a selvedge initiates-la earin lqwativ, irl sbletsvrety es of its forward and backward runs through the warp shed,the weft inserter inserts a double weft thread, that is a twofold-bentweft thread, thus forming a continuous weft having loops on either sideof the cloth which are formed by the weft inserter reversing itstransverse motion, wherein the loops formed in the sequentially inserteddouble weft are engaged with one another, on the side of the fabriclying opposite to the entrance side of the weft inserter, in such amanner as to form at least one loop rowor chain. Preferably the loopformed in each double weft thread is threaded through the loop of thepreceding double weft thread.

A device for performing this method is disclosed, wherein aselvedge-forming needle is arranged on the side of the cloth lyingopposite to the entrance side of the weft inserter, and is automaticallyoperable in synchronism with the weft inserter in such a manner as topick up the loop of every new double weft thread which has been insertedby the weft inserter, and to Y slip them off the loop of the precedingdouble weft thread, which has been picked up and slipped on the needleshank at the time of the preceding weft insertion, thus causing the loopof the preceding double weft thread to be slipped through the loop ofthe preceding double weft thread and thus threading the loop of the newdouble weft thread onto the needle shank.

2 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 2 1 I974 SHEET '4 [If 6SELVEDGE FORMING APPARATUS IN SHUTTLELESS LOOMS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to shuttle-less weaving loomshaving one or more stationary supply bobbins and a weft thread insertingmember, the so-called weft inserter (in form of a needle, a steel tape,or the like) which is reciprocated to and fro through the warp shed,from one warp side to the other, so as to insert, at every one of itsforward and backward runs, a double weft, that is, a twofold bent weftthread, thus forming a continuous weft having loops formed on eitherside of the fabric by the reversing of the stroke of the weft inserter.

SUMMARY The invention aims to provide a method and an apparatus for theformation of a stable and uniform selvedge on the side of the fabriclying opposite to the entrance side of the weft inserter, i.e., lyingopposite to the weft thread supply and insertion side.

To this end, according to the invention, the loops of the successivedouble weft threads are engaged with one another on the side of thefabric lying opposite to the entrance side of the weft thread inserter,so as to form at least one row or chain of loops.

Particularly, according to one embodiment of the invention, the loop ofeach double weft thread is inserted through the loop of the precedingdouble weft.

This method according to the invention may be carried into effect by anydesired means adapted for forming a loop chain. A preferredselvedge-forming device of this type is constituted, according to theinvention, by a selvedge-forming needle arranged onthe side of thefabric lying opposite to the entrance side of the weft inserter, andautomatically operable in synchronism with the weft inserter itself, insuch a manner that the said needle will pick up the loop of every newdouble weft which has just been inserted by the weft inserter, and willthen slip off the loop of the preceding double weft which has beenpicked up and slipped on the needle at the time of the preceding weftinsertion, thus inserting the loop of the new double weft through theloop of the preceding double weft, and thus slipping the loop of the newdouble weft on to the needle shank.

The said selvedge-forming needle may be constructed and operated in anysuitable manner, while it may possibly co-operate with any auxiliarydevices assisting in the formation of the loop chain. However, accordingto one preferred embodiment of the invention, the selvedge-formingneedle is preferably constituted by a latch needle arranged between theweaving loom breast beam and the weft inserter path and extendingsubstantially parallel to the warp threads, with its hook turned towardsthe weft inserter path. The said latch needle is preferably turned insuch a manner that its hook and its latch come to be disposed sideways,on the needle side lying opposite to the cloth. In synchronism with theweft inserter, this selvedge-forming needle is given a reciprocatingmotion by the side of the warp, so as to be driven forwards in thedirection of the weft inserter path, and to be retracted therefrom, andis also given a reciprocating lifting up and lowering down motionrelative to the cloth plane. The whole being so provided that the saidselvedge-forming needle advances in the direction of the weft inserterpath up to reach its uplifted position, with its latch being opened andits hook being over a thread portion of every new double weft, at thetime the weft inserter has completed its forward run (warp enteringrun), and is then lowered down and retracted from the weft inserterpath, while the weft inserter is travelling on its backward run (warpleaving run). The selvedge-forming needle thus picks up and holds thenewly inserted double weft, so that a loop is formed about the needlewhich loop is kept in the hook of said needle, while the loop which hasbeen formed in the same manner from the preceding double weft and isheld on the shank of the selvedge-forming needle is caused to slideonwards (on the needle shank, so as to be finally slipped thereoff). Theloop from the preceding double weft, by being slipped off theselvedge-forming needle, closes the latch of said needle and is thenslipped on the loop which has been formed in the newly inserted doubleweft, and is held in the needle hook and covered by the needle latch.Whereupon, the selvedge-forming needle is again advanced in thedirection of the weft inserter path, so that the loop formed in the newdouble weft is slipped on the needle shank, whereby it opens the needlelatch. The selvedgeforming needle is again lifted up and driven over athread portion of the next-coming double weft.

The afore-described movement of theknitting machine needle as providedin the selvedge-fonning apparatus according to the invention may beimparted by driving means constructed in any desired manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows in planview a shuttleless weaving loom having a selvedge-forming deviceaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged scale a detail of FIG. I corresponding to theselvedge-forming device,

FIG. 3 shows in plan view the selvedge-forming device, some parts ofwhich have been omitted,

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the selvedge-formingdevice, on line IV-IV of FIG. 3,

FIGS. 5 to 10 diagrammatically show the essential components of theselvedgeforming device according to the invention, in a perspective viewlooking in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 3, and in the variousselvedge-forming steps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, 1 denotes the warpbeam and 2 denotes the cloth taking up beam of a shuttle-less weavingloom. The insertion of the weft is accomplished by means of a tubularweft inserting needle 3 which is disposed in a horizontal positiontransversely to the warp 4. In the region of its rear end, that isof theend opposite to the warp 4, the weft thread-inserting needle 3 isfastened to a needle carriage 5 sliding on a fixed guide 6 which isparallel to the said needle 3 and is arranged on one side of the warp 4.The needle carriage 5 is reciprocated on the slide guide 6 in thedirections of the double arrow F and is driven for example by means of arocking driving arm 7 pivotally attached to the said needle carraige 5.The driving arm 7 is pivoted at 8 on the weaving loom frame and is inturn driven by a crank 10 to which it is connected by means of a link11. The crank 10 is fixedly mounted on the driving shaft 12 and issuitably counterbalanced. In order to permit the rectilinear motion ofthe needle carriage 5 on its respective guide 6, the driving arm 7 iscaused to slide longitudinally through a supporting member 13 which isrotatably mounted on the fulcrum pivot 8. The whole being so providedthat the weft-inserting needle 3 is inserted into the warp shed and iscaused to run forward until the fore end of the needle has reached theopposite side of the same warp, whereupon the weft-inserting needle 3 isreturned to its starting position, in which it is completely drawn outof the warp, as shown in FIG. 1.

The weft thread 14 is supplied from a supply bobbin 15 arranged in afixed position sideways of the warp 4, on the same side as the weftthread-inserting needle 3. The weft thread 14 is uncoiled from the saidsupply bobbin 15, is threaded through the rear end of the weftinsertingneedle 3, is passed through a bore extending the whole length thereof,is drawn out of the needle fore end, andis inserted into the fabric 16.Between the supply bobbin 15 and the weft thread-inserting needle 3there is arranged a weft stop motion 17, preferably constructedaccording to other Patents of the same Patentee, which is operated bythe bell-crank lever 18 and the rod 19, whose motion is caused by thearm 7 driving the needle carriage 5. The tail end of the thread wound onthe first supply bobbin 15 is tied to the starting end of the threadwound on a subsequent or second supply bobbin 115, so that, any time thefirst bobbin 15 is run out, the supply of the weft thread 14 is assuredwithout interruption from the second bobbin 115. Meanwhile a new firstsupply bobbin 15 is fitted in place, and its starting end is tied to thetail end of the second supply bobbin 115, and so on.

In practice, and contrary to what appears from the diagrammatic view inFIG. 1, the supply bobbin or bobbins 15, 115 are arranged, beneath theweftinserting needle 3, with their axes converging towards the axis ofthe weft stop motion 17. In the diagrammatic view in FIG. 1, the supplybobbins 15, 115 and the weft stop motion 17 are therefore shown, for thesake of an easier illustration, turned from a substantially verticalplane, in which the same actually lie, to a substantially horizontalplane, being parallel to the plane of the warp 4.

The weft-inserting needle 3, by being reciprocated through the warp shed4 from one side to the opposite side, and back, inserts at each forwardstroke (by entering into the warp) and at each backward stroke (bycoming out of the warp) a double weft T, that is a twofold-bent weftthread, thus forming a continuous weft having loops formed on eitherside of the cloth 16 by the needle reversing its motion. In FIG. 2, Adenotes the loops which have been formed by the double wefts T on theside of the cloth 16 lying opposite to the entrance side of theweft-inserting needle 3.

On the side of the cloth l6 lying opposite to the entrance side of theweft-inserting needle 3, between the path of this latter and the breastbeam 109 of the weaving loom, there is arranged the selvedge-formingdevice according to the invention, which is very diagrammatically shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, and with more constructional details in FIGS. 3 and 4.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the said selvedge-forming device isconstituted by a horizontally disposed support 22 extending parallel tothe warp threads 4, and fixedly mounted on the loom breast beam 109 soas to be cantilevered therefrom. To the underside of support 22 abushing 23 is secured, in which a horizontal rod 24, parallel to thewarp threads 4, is mounted so as to be longitudinally slidable. On theend of said rod 24 which is turned towards the clothtaking up beam 2there is fixedly mounted a sleeve 25 carrying on its underside avertical pivot to which an arm of a bell-crank lever 26 is pivotallyattached (see also FIG. 2). The said bellcrank lever 26 is fulcrumed at27 on the loom breast beam 109, while its other arm is pivotallyattached to a driving rod 28 which, in turn, is operated by any suitablepart (not shown) of the weaving loom, so as to swing the bellcrank lever'26 and therefore so as to reciprocate toand-fro the slidable rod 24 inthe bushing 23, synchronously with the motion of the weft-insertingneedle 3, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

To the opposite end of rod 24, which is turned towards the path of theweft-inserting needle 3, a selvedge-forming head 20 is secured, whichcomprises a cross bar 29 carrying on its end parts two co-axial bushings30, whose horizontal axesare directed transversely to the warp threads4. In these bushings 30 a pivot 31 is rotatably mounted, and on the endof said pivot which projects towards the cloth 16 a selvedge-formingneedle 21 is secured, which is constituted by a knittingmachine needle,having a hook 121 and a swinging latch 221. This selvedge-forming needleextends in the longitudinal direction of the warp threads 4 and projectsforward towards the path of the weft-inserting needle 3. Furthermore,the selvedge-forming needle 21 is preferably so turned that its hook 121and its latch 221 will be positioned sideways, on the side of the needleopposite to the cloth 16, as in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Between the two cushings 30 of theselvedge-forming head 20, a flap orblade 32 extending upwardly and having a vertical slot 33 is fixedlymounted on the pivot 31 which carries the selvedge-forming needle 21(FIG. 4). In front of said flap 32, that is, on its side turned towardsthe path of the weft-inserting needle 3, a transverse abutment member 34is provided, which by means of two small sideways projecting members 35is secured to the corresponding bushing 30. To said trans verse abutmentmember 34 a substantially horizontal guide rod 36 is secured, which isarranged parallel to the warp threads 4. This guide rod 36 projectsrearwardly, that is, towards the loom breast beam 109 and is passedthrough the slot 33 in flap 32. About the guide rod 36 is wound ahelical pressure spring 37 which bears with one of its ends against aspring-bearing bushing 38, secured to the free end of the rod 36, whilewith its opposite end it bears against a spring-abutmentbushing 39 whichis slidably mounted on rod 36 and'has a diameter greater than the widthof the slot 33 in flap 32. This slidable spring-abutment-bushing 39 isthereis particularly apparent fore urged by the spring 37 against theflap 32 so-as to swing forward the flap 32 in anti-clockwise direction,as viewed in FIG. 4, thus causing the said flap to bear upon thetransverse abutment member 34, as shown by full lines in FIGS. 3 and 4.However the flap 32 can be rocked backwards, that is, in clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 4, together with the pivot 31 and theselvedge-forming needle 21, thus causing the springabutment-bushing 39to slide backwards on rod 36 and loading the spring 37.

Referring to FIG. 4, on an upright part projecting from the upper sideof the supporting member 22, a balance lever 40 is provided whichextends substantially parallel to the warp threads 4 and is pivotallymounted at 41 on the said projecting upright part of the supportingmember 22, so as to swing about said pivot 41 which is disposedtransversely to the warp threads 4. On the fore end of said lever 40,that is in the direction of the path of the weft-inserting-needle, astop tooth 42 is provided which engages the flap 32 in a manner thatwill be more fully described hereinafter. The opposite or rear end oflever 40, that is the end directed towards the loom breast beam 109, isurged upwardly by a pressure spring 43 and is connected to a tie rod 44,which is freely slidable through a slot in the lever 40 and has athreaded end projecting above said lever 40 and on which a large drivinghead is formed by screwing thereon screw nuts 144. The rod 44 isdownwardlyextended through an opening 45 of the supporting member 22and'is hinged to one arm of a bell-crank lever 46. This bell-crank lever46 is fulcrumed at 47 on the loom breast beam 109 while the oppositelever arm is pivotally connected to a driving rod 48. As opposed to whathas been shown in FIG. 4 for the sake of clearer illustration, thebell-crank lever 46 in practice lies in a plane at right angles to theplane of the drawing, that is, in a plane transverse to the warp, andswings about a pivot which is substantially parallel to the warp threads4. The driving rod 48 extends therefore horizontally, transversely tothe warp, underneath the cloth 16, up to the opposite side of saidcloth, where said rod 48 is pivotally connected by one of its ends toone end of a balance lever 49 fulcrumed at 50 on the loom frame 9, asshown in FIG. 1. This lever 49 extends parallel to the warp threads 4,and its opposite end, that is the end in the direction of the warp beam1, cooperates with the carriage 5 supporting the weftinserting-needle 3and with any other part rigid with the said weft-inserting-needle 3, andmovable therewith. The upper hooking tooth-carrying lever 40 of theselvedge-forming device is normally maintained by the action of itsrespective spring 43 and of the stop member constituted by the drivinghead 144 of link 44, in an angular rest position, in which the stoptooth 42 is lowered down into a catching position, in which it comesinto engagement with the edge of the flap 32, as shown by full lines inFIG. 4. Upon completion of the forward stroke of theweft-inserting-needle 3 (by which it enters into the warp), the needlecarriage 5 abuts against the end of the control lever 49 associated withsaid carriage, thus swinging the said lever and therefore causing,through the rod 48 and the bell-crank lever 46, a downward movement oftie rod 44. Therefore, the stop tooth-carrying lever 40 of theselvedge-forming device is shifted through the driving head 144 of saidtie rod 44, and against the action of spring 43, into an angularposition in which the stop tooth or detent 42 is lifted up into aflap-releasing position, in which it does not interfere with the flap32, as shown by dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 4. The stop tooth 42 may belifted up into such a releasing position, also independently of thedriving mechanism 44, 46, 48, 49, since the tooth-carrying lever 40 canbe swung against the action of spring 43 by sliding on the tie rod 44,away from the head 144 thereof. On its force end, that is on the endturned towards the path of the weft-inserting-needle 3, the tooth ordetent 42 has an inclined edge 142 which cooperates with the rear edgeof the top end of the flap 32, in a manner which will be describedhereinafter.

On the side of the support 22 which is turned towards the fabric 16,between the fabric 16 and the selvedgeforming needle 21, there isprovided an upright weftholding wing or arm 51 extending parallel to thewarp threads 4 in a forward direction towards the path of theweft-insening-needle 3, and swingably pivoted on a substantiallyhorizontal pivot 52 extending sideways of the support 22, andtransversely to the warp threads 4. The upward swinging of saidweft-holding arm is limited by suitable abutment members, not shown. Inthe region of its fore end pointing in the direction of the path of theweft-inserting-needle 3, and at the lever of the cloth 16, theweft-holding arm 51 has a lower edge 54 which is inclined downwardly inthe rearward direction and is provided with a notch 53 as shown in FIG.4. In FIG. 4 also the slay 56 and the reed 55 of the weaving loom areshown in the position that the same assume by the inserting of the weftthread.

'The operation of the selvedge-forming device will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. Assume the startingposition to be the one shown by full lines in FIG. 4, in which the rod24, and the associated selvedgeforming head 20 together with theneedle-carrying pivot 31, the selvedge-forming needle 21, and also theflap 32, are fully withdrawn away from the weft-inserting-needle 3,while the stop tooth or detent 42 is in its lowermost position, in whichit comes into engagement with the flap 32. The flap 32 projectingradially from the needle-carrying pivot 31 is in a substantiallyvertical position and is urged by the spring 37 against the transverseabutment member 34. The selvedge-forming needle 21, which is secured tothe pivot 31, lies in a corresponding angular rest position slightlydownwardly inclined relative to the plane of the fabric 16. Thepreviously inserted double weft T1 is engaged in the notch 53 cut in theweft-holding arm 51 and forms a loop Al about the selvedge-formingneedle 21, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. The said loop A1 of the precedingdouble weft thread T1 is engaged in the hook 121 of the selvedge-formingneedle 21, in the same manner as shown in FIG. 9 for the loop A2 formedfrom the next-coming double weft thread T2.

On inserting a new double weft thread T2, during the forward stroke ofthe weft-inserting-needle 3 by which it enters into the warp shed, therod 24, together with the associated selvedge-forming head 20, theneedlecarrying pivot 31, and the selvedge-forming needle 21, is shiftedforwards in the direction of the path of said weft-inserting-needle 3,that is, towards the left-hand side of FIG. 4, in the direction of arrowF1. Since the previously inserted double weft T1 is engaged in the notch53 provided in the weft-holding arm 51, and is thus held thereby, itsloop A1 is slipped back on the shank of the selvedge-forming needle 21,thus automatically opening the latch 221 as shown in FIG. 10 inconnection with the loop A2 of the new double weft thread T2. Therefore,the loop A1 of the preceding double weft thread T1 is substantiallyshifted into the position as shown in FIG. 5, while the latch 221 of theselvedgeforming needle 21 remains opened. At about one-half of theforward stroke of the selvedge-forming head 20 in the direction of arrowFl, the flap 32, supported by the needle-carrying pivot 31 abuts withits upper end against the detent 42 so that, while the forward run ofthe rod 24 and of the associated selvedge-forming head is beingcontinued, the flap 32 is tilted backwards, against the action of spring37, as shown by full lines in FIG. 5, and by dot-and-dash lines in FIG.4. The needle-carrying pivot 31 is thus revolved in bushings 30 by anangle corresponding to the said tilting of flap 32 which is integralwith said pivot, so that the said pivot moves the selvedge-formingneedle 21 from its lowered-down angular rest position to a lifted upangular position, which is also shown in FIG. 5, and by dash lines inFIG. 4. At the end of the forward stroke of the selvedge-forming head 20(position shown in FIG. and by dash lines in FIG. 4), the flap 32 ismaintained by the arm 42 in its rearwardly tilted position, andtherefore the selvedge-forming needle 21 is in its uplifted angularposition, in which its hook 121 comes to be over the plane of the fabric16.

In the meantime, the weft-inserting-needle 3 has completed its forwardstroke and has reached its end position as shown in FIG. 5, in which thethread portion 1 14 of the new double weft thread T2 at the outside ofsaid weft thread inserting-needle 3, lies under the upliftedselvedge-forming needle 21, between the hook 121 and the latch 221 ofsame. At this moment, the carriage 5 supporting the weft threadinserting-needle 3 hits and pushes the control lever 49 on to the otherside of the loom, whereby it causes the detent 42 to be lifted up intoits flap-releasing position, against the action of spring 43 and bytheaction of the transmission 48, 46, 44, and of the detent-carrying lever40, as shown in FIG. 6 and by dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 4. The flap 32which is no longer held by the stop tooth or detent 42 is swung forwardsby the spring 37 up to the abutment cross piece 34, thus causing saidflap to assume again its upright position, as shown in FIG. 6 and bydot-anddash lines in FIG. 4. The needle-carrying pivot 31 is thenrevolved by a corresponding angle in bushings 30, in such a manner thatthe selvedge-forming needle 21 is inevitably moved from its upliftedangular position to its lowered-down angular rest position, in which itengages the thread portion 14 of th new double weft thread T2 and comesto bear upon the said thread portion 114 with its needle part beingcomprised between the hook 121 and the still opened latch 221, as shownin FIG. 6. From this Figure it is also apparent that the thread portion114 of the new double weft thread T2 which is engaged in theselvedge-forming needle 21 is being slightly inflected downwardly bysaidneedle.

Subsequently the rod 24 of the selvedge-forming device is drivenbackwards, to the right-hand side of FIG.

- 4 in the direction of arrow F2, together with the associatedselvedge-forming head supporting the needlecarrying pivot 31, theselvedge-forming needle 21, and also the flap 32, while theweft-inserting-needle 3 is beginning its backward stroke by which itcomes out of the warp shed. Therefore, and thanks to the aforementioneddownward bend of the external thread portion 114 of the new double weftthread T2, the second thread portion 214 of the said new double weftthread T2, which is being pulled out of the inside of the weft threadinserting-needle 3, is passed on to the selvedgeforming needle 21. Inthis way, the new double weft T2 is held by the selvedge-forming needle21, thus forming thereabout a loop A2 which is lodged in the hook 121 ofsaid selvedge-forming needle 21, as shown in FIG. 7.

By the beginning of the return stroke of the weftinserting-needle 3, atthe time the carriage 5 supporting said needle is drawn away from thecontrol lever 49, the spring 43 again urges the stop tooth or detent 42down into its flap-engaging position and again moves into startingposition the whole of the mechanism 40, 44, 46, 48, 40 operating thesaid detent. Therefore,

during the backward stroke of the rod 24 and the associatedselvedge-forming head 20, I the flap 32 abuts against the detent 42which is in its flap-engaging lowered-down position, but the said flapeasily goes therebeyond, since by coming to slide upon the inclineddetent for edge 142, it will temporarily lift said detent upwards, thusmerely causing the detent-carrying lever 40 to swing against the actionof spring 43, in the manner as shown in FIG. 7.

During the return stroke of the weft-inserting-needle 3 and thesimultaneous backward stroke (arrow P2) of the selvedge-forming head 20,the loop A1 of the preceding double weft thread T1 is slipped on theshank of the selvedge-forming needle 21 towards the end thereof, sincethe previously formed double weft-is still engaged in the notch 53 inthe weft-holding arm 51 and is held thereby, as shown in FIG. 8. Theloop A1 of the preceding double weft thread Tl thus abuts against theopened latch 221 of the selvedge-forming needle 21 and swings itforwards upon the hook 121 into the closure position, thus shuttingtherein the loop A2 of the new double weft thread T2. Whereupon, theloop A1 of the preceding double weft thread T1 is passed on to theclosed latch 221 and is slipped off the selvedgeforrning needle 21, asshown in FIG. 9. Thus, the loop A2 of the new double weft thread T2 isthreaded by the selvedge-forming needle 21 through the loop A1 of thepreceding double weft thread T1, thus forming a link stitch.

At the time the weft-inserting needle 3 has been completely drawn out ofthe warp shed, and has reached its starting position as shown in FIG. 1,the slay 56, which up to now has remained substantially stationary inthe position as shown in FIG. 4, performs its heat, that is, is drivenforwards together with the reed 55, towards the loom breast beam 109 (tothe right-hand side in FIG. 4), and backwards again. Therefore, thepreceding double weft thread T1 comes to be disengaged, by the action ofthe reed 55, from the notch 53 in the weftholding arm 51, since it is nolonger held. by the selvedge-forming needle 21. Whereas, the new doubleweft thread T2, by having its loop A2 held in the selvedge-formingneedle 21, is pushed by the reed 55 against the inclined fore edge 54 ofthe weft-holding arm 51, thus causing the said am to be temporarilyswung upwards about its fulcrum 52, and thus sliding upon the saidinclined edge 54 of said arm, up to be engaged in the bottom notch 53,in the place where the preceding double weft T1 was held, as shown inFIG. 10. Therefore, on inserting the subsequent weft, at the time therod 24 of the selvedge-forming device is again driven forwards in thedirection of arrow F1 togehter with the selvedge-forming head 20, theloop A2 of the double weft thread T2 is slipped backwards on theselvedge-forming needle 21, the weft T2 being held in the groove 53 bythe weft-holding arm 51. Therefore, the loop A2'of the already inserteddouble weft thread T2, which is still held in the hook 121 of theselvedgeforming needle 21, by swinging the latch 221 of said needle intoits opened position, as shown in FIG. 10, is slipped on the shank of theneedle 21 itself. This cycle is repeated in the manner asafore-described.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, and also in FIGS. 5 to 10, it is apparent that by theselvedge-forming process and device according to the invention the loopsA of the sequentially inserted double wefts T come to be engaged withone another, that is, come to be threaded the one into the other, on theside of the cloth l6 lying opposite to the entrance side of theweft-inserting-needle 3, in such a manner as to form a selvedge composedby a loop row or chain.

Of course the invention is not limited to the illustrated and describedembodiment, but may be practiced by any other means making the selvedgeby the same selvedge-forming method, while the aforedescribedselvedge-forming device may equally well be modified, particularly inconstruction, without departing from the leading principle as describedabove and as claimed hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A selvedge-forming device for the formation of a selvedge in ashuttle-less loom, comprising a warp shed, a weft inserter forjinsertinga double weft thread, Le, a two fold-bent weft thread, at every one ofits forward and backward runs through the warp shed, to thereby form acontinuous weft having loops on either side which are formed by the weftinserter reversing the transverse motion thereof, loops formed in thesequentially inserted double weft being engaged with one another, on theside of the fabric lying opposite to the entrance side of the weftinverter, in such a manner as to form at least one loop row or chain,said device further comprising a selvedge-forming needle located on theside of the cloth lying opposite the entrance side of the weft inserter,and means for providing automatic operation of said needle insynchronism with the weft inserter in such a manner as to pick up theloop of every new double weft thread which has been inserted by saidweft inserter, and to slip this loop off the loop of the precedingdouble weft thread which has been picked up and slipped on the needleshank at the time of the preceding weft insertion, thus causing the loopof the new double weft thread to be slipped through the loop of thepreceding double weft thread thereby threading the loop of the newdouble weft thread onto the needle shank, a needle-carrying pivot forfixedly mounting the selvedge-forming needle in a substantially radialposition, said needle-carrying pivot being arranged transversely to thewarp threads, a selvedge-forming head for rotatably mounting saidneedle-carrying pivot, said selvedge-forming head being slidably guidedby the side of the warp threads and being so reciprocated as to bedriven forward, in the direction of the path of movement of the weftinserter, and backwards, synchronously with the movement of the weftinserter itself, means for rotating the needle-carrying pivot in onedirection so as to angularly lift up the selvedge-forming needle incorrespondence with a terminal fraction of the forward stroke of theselvedge-forming head and to turn the needle-carrying pivot in theopposite direction, so as to angularly lower down the selvedge-formingneedle at the end of the forward run of the selvedgeforrning head, anarm formed integral with said needlecarrying pivot, a return spring formaintaining said arm in an angular reset position corresponding to thelowered down position of the selvedge-forming needle, a detent whichcooperates with said return spring in such a manner that said arm isretained by the detent during the terminal fraction of the forward runof the selvedge-forming head and is thus angularly shifted against theaction of its respective retum spring, whereby the needle-carrying pivotis caused to be correspondingly turned, and the selvedge-forming needlevto be swung into the uplifted position thereof, and means fordisengaging the detent from the arm of the needle-carrying pivot anytime the selvedge-forming head is in the stroke end-position thereof,thereby causing the said arm to be returned to its angular position bythe action of its respective return spring, and thus theselvedge-forming needle to be swung into its lowered down position.

2. A selvedge-forming device is claimed in claim 1 further comprisingmeans for controlling the detent cooperating with the arm on theneedle-carrying pivot, said controlling means comprising a mechanismresponsive to a member afiixed to the weft inserter for disengaging saiddetent from said arm when the weft inserter is ending the inlet strokethereof into said warp shed.

1. A selvedge-forming device for the formation of a selvedge in ashuttle-less loom, comprising a warp shed, a weft inserter for insertinga double weft thread, i.e., a two fold-bent weft thread, at every one ofits forward and backward runs through the warp shed, to thereby form acontinuous weft having loops on either side which are formed by the weftinserter reversing the transverse motion thereof, loops formed in thesequentially inserted double weft being engaged with one another, on theside of the fabric lying opposite to the entrance side of the weftinverter, in such a manner as to form at least one loop row or chain,said device further comprising a selvedge-forming needle located on theside of the cloth lying opposite the entrance side of the weft inserter,and means for providing automatic operation of said needle insynchronism with the weft inserter in such a manner as to pick up theloop of every new double weft thread which has been inserted by saidweft inserter, and to slip this loop off the loop of the precedingdouble weft thread which has been picked up and slipped on the needleshank at the time of the preceding weft insertion, thus causing the loopof the new double weft thread to be slipped through the loop of thepreceding double weft thrEad thereby threading the loop of the newdouble weft thread onto the needle shank, a needle-carrying pivot forfixedly mounting the selvedge-forming needle in a substantially radialposition, said needle-carrying pivot being arranged transversely to thewarp threads, a selvedge-forming head for rotatably mounting saidneedle-carrying pivot, said selvedgeforming head being slidably guidedby the side of the warp threads and being so reciprocated as to bedriven forward, in the direction of the path of movement of the weftinserter, and backwards, synchronously with the movement of the weftinserter itself, means for rotating the needle-carrying pivot in onedirection so as to angularly lift up the selvedge-forming needle incorrespondence with a terminal fraction of the forward stroke of theselvedge-forming head and to turn the needle-carrying pivot in theopposite direction, so as to angularly lower down the selvedge-formingneedle at the end of the forward run of the selvedge-forming head, anarm formed integral with said needlecarrying pivot, a return spring formaintaining said arm in an angular reset position corresponding to thelowered down position of the selvedge-forming needle, a detent whichcooperates with said return spring in such a manner that said arm isretained by the detent during the terminal fraction of the forward runof the selvedge-forming head and is thus angularly shifted against theaction of its respective return spring, whereby the needlecarrying pivotis caused to be correspondingly turned, and the selvedge-forming needleto be swung into the uplifted position thereof, and means fordisengaging the detent from the arm of the needle-carrying pivot anytime the selvedge-forming head is in the stroke end-position thereof,thereby causing the said arm to be returned to its angular position bythe action of its respective return spring, and thus theselvedge-forming needle to be swung into its lowered down position.
 2. Aselvedge-forming device is claimed in claim 1 further comprising meansfor controlling the detent cooperating with the arm on theneedle-carrying pivot, said controlling means comprising a mechanismresponsive to a member affixed to the weft inserter for disengaging saiddetent from said arm when the weft inserter is ending the inlet strokethereof into said warp shed.